Snacking

Table of Contents

Incorporating healthy snacks into your new lifestyle can help you maintain steady energy levels, curb hunger between meals, and provide additional nutrients to support your overall well-being. When choosing snacks, prioritize whole, minimally processed foods. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Prepare Grab-and-Go Options

Having a selection of easy, grab-and-go snacks can be especially helpful on busy days or when you’re away from home. Stock your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer with convenient options like:

  • Fresh fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, and berries
  • Vegetable sticks: carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers
  • Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Beef or turkey jerky (made without added sugar)

Get Creative with Snacks

  • Vegetable Sticks and Guacamole: Fresh vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber paired with a homemade guacamole dip can make a satisfying and nutrient-dense snack.
  • Nut Butter: Almond butter, cashew butter, or other nut butters can be eaten with fruit or vegetable slices, or even by the spoonful.
  • Jerky: Look for jerky made from grass-fed beef or free-range turkey. Be sure to choose options with no added sugar or artificial ingredients.
  • Smoothies: Blend fruits like berries, banana, or mango with some unsweetened almond milk, a handful of spinach, and some chia seeds or flax seeds.
  • Energy Balls: These are often made from a mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and natural sweeteners like honey or dates.
  • Berries and Coconut Cream: A small bowl of fresh berries topped with whipped coconut cream can be a delicious, sweet snack.
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes: You can roast them in the oven with some olive oil, salt, and pepper for a hearty, filling snack.
  • Muffins: Made with almond or coconut flour, eggs, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, these can be a delicious and portable snack. You can add fruits, nuts, or seeds for extra flavor and nutrients.
  • Prosciutto-wrapped Melon: This is a classic snack that combines sweet and salty flavors. Just wrap slices of prosciutto around pieces of melon.
  • Baked Kale Chips: Toss kale leaves in olive oil and a bit of salt, then bake until crispy.
  • Grilled Chicken Strips: Leftover grilled chicken can be a good source of lean protein for a quick snack. 
  • Chia Seed Pudding: Mix chia seeds with almond milk and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a pudding-like snack that you can top with fresh fruit.
  • Avocado and Turkey Roll-Ups: Slice an avocado and roll it up in a slice of turkey for a quick, high-protein snack.
  • Raw Veggies and Zucchini Hummus: Traditional hummus is made with chickpeas, but you can make anohter version with zucchini or cauliflower.
  • Green Smoothies: Blend some spinach or kale with a banana and a handful of berries for a nutrient-packed snack.
  • Roasted Plantain Chips: Slice a plantain, toss slices with olive oil and salt, and bake until crispy.